I've been convinced for quite some time that trolling is simply another flavor of an Obsessive/Compulsive mental disorder and that the very best way of dealing with trolls is to simply ignore them. There can't be any sort of an argument, if only one person is a participant. And when their planned long winded argument is nipped at the bud, there's no satisfaction for them.
My rule is that if they post the same thing five or six times in a row then they're serious as a heart attack like those Ashlii memes. Overall I just straight up ignore them. I don't even block or report them(unless it's a TOS violation).
Research shows you are right. Trolls often possess the "Dark Tetrad" of personality traits: Machivellianism (desire to manipulate), sadism (finding pleasure in hurting others), narcissism (self-love), and psychopathy (lack of empathy).
If you don’t learn to play nicely with the other kids, you’ll grow up to be a nasty internet troll with no real friends; who is constantly picking public fights with strangers.